Andhra legislator sent to jail in murder case

Hyderabad, Jan 9 A Telugu Desam Party (TDP) legislator in Andhra Pradesh was today sent to jail for 14 days in a murder case.

Yerapatineni Srinivas Rao was shifted to district jail at Guntur, after a court here sent him to judicial custody in connection with the murder of Congress leader U. Narendra.

The legislator from Gurazala in Guntur district was arrested by police in Hyderabad late Tuesday. He was later shifted to Piduguralla town and brought before the magistrate today morning.

Talking to reporters, Srinivas Rao alleged that he was falsely implicated in the case by the ruling Congress party.

Narendra was murdered Nov 27 last year and Srinivasa Rao is one of the 13 people allegedly involved in the case.

Police booked Srinivasa Rao after the victim's family lodged a complaint. The main accused Nallabothula Srinu is a close associate of the TDP legislator.

Police had launched a manhunt for the MLA after his anticipatory bail application was dismissed by a court in Narasaraopet Dec 31.

Meanwhile, a shutdown was observed in Piduguralla and Gurazala towns on a call given by the TDP. The opposition party accused the Congress government of targeting its leaders.

In another development, a district court in Anantapur granted anticipatory bail to Paritala Sriram, son of another TDP legislator Paritala Sunita, in a case relating to conspiracy to murder a Congress leader.

Police had launched manhunt for Sriram and had searched the MLA's house in Anantapur last week.

Sunita is widow of former minister and slain TDP leader Paritala Ravi.(IANS)